Montana-Wyoming Water Fight Goes Before High Court

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court is wading into a fight between Wyoming and Montana over how they share water from a river system. Montana says Wyoming is taking too much water from the Tongue and Powder rivers in violation of a 1950 agreement. Montana claims that more efficient irrigation in Wyoming is preventing runoff from rejoining the river and flowing downstream.

Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock says his state wants to get the water it should. But Wyoming's lawyer, Peter Kenneth Michael, says Wyoming is doing nothing wrong. Several justices said Monday they didn't immediately see an equitable solution. Chief Justice John Roberts noted that western water laws lean toward "first come, first serve." The court will rule later this year.